Facts, signs and symptoms of teen substance abuse. Teen substance abuse affects far too many families. Are you concerned that your teen is abusing drugs or alcohol? After all, it’s normal to ask yourself many questions that you might not know the answers to. Why did my teen veer off course? Why did my child start using drugs? Did I do something wrong? If you are in need of help, please know that you are not alone. If you notice signs and symptoms of substance abuse, get your teen help by offering them support and finding a holistic treatment center that will guide them toward recovery.